Special Classes: (see attached schedule for full day) Monday = P.E., Computer, Art Tuesday = P.E., Computer Wednesday = P.E., Computer Thursday =P.E., Music Friday = P.E., Music
Assignment Notebooks: Each student was given an assignment notebook the first week of school, which you should already be aware of. It is the student’s responsibility to write down any homework or important reminders in the notebook. The notebooks have a box for parents to sign nightly and write any messages to the teacher. Please sign the planner nightly after your child has shown you the completed work or notes that were written down. The signature lets me know that your child has completed any work he/she might have been given and that he/she has shown it to you. I will check the planners each morning for a parent signature. The planners are a great way for your child to keep track of what they are working on, any homework he/she might have and a great way for you and me to communicate.
Homework: The majority of work done in third grade is completed during class time. When a student does not complete an in class assignment it then becomes homework. The student is expected to complete it that night at home and bring it in the next morning for the same grade as if the assignment were completed in class. In third grade there are some assignments that are given on a weekly basis. Each week your student will be given Daily Math, and a spelling list to study on Monday. The Daily Math can be turned in any day of the week after it is given. Friday is the latest date it will be accepted. Also, your student will have a reading log to keep track of what they read each night. These will be due on Mondays.
3H Classroom Policies: During the first semester of school students will be given the chance to correct and return practice papers with a D or F grade for half credit. However, students cannot correct and return tests. This allows students to get used to the effort it will take on their part to earn a passing grade of C or higher. Also, throughout the school year, any no name papers will be laid out for students to claim for a grade. Any unclaimed papers will result in a zero. If a student is missing an assignment they will be given a second chance to complete it again for a grade. If the second chance is not turned in then a zero will be recorded in the grade book.
Absences: If your child is going to be absent, whether you know ahead of time or not, it is expected that you send a note or call the school to let Mrs. Begner or I know of the absence. When a student is absent he/she will have 2 days to make up work for each day that he/she was absent. I will go over all missed work with the student to make sure that he/she understands what is expected.
Grading Scale: The grading scale for the district is as follows: 99-100% A+ 90- 91% B+ 82- 83% C+ 72- 73% D+ 94- 98% A 86- 89% B 76- 81% C 68- 71% D 92- 93%A- 84- 85% B- 74- 75% C- 66- 67% D- Below 65 F
Math: The district is using the Harcourt Math series which has been in place for several years now. This series is aligned with the state learning standards and prepares students for ISAT testing in the spring. Throughout the school year students will study numbers and various ways to manipulate them through addition, subtraction, estimation, money, time, multiplication, division, measurement, fractions, and decimals. Students will also study geometry through figures, patterns and probability.
Reading: The reading series we use is Literacy By Design. In this reading series your child will learn the strategies good readers use in order to better understand the text they read. Those strategies include making connections, asking questions and inferring. Students will also be given the opportunity to enjoy a piece of text three different ways: independently, shared with a classmate, and read aloud to them. This method allows fluent reading to be modeled and practiced. The series is rich in a variety of fiction and non-fiction text, while introducing new words into the third grade vocabulary. Guided reading will also be used to pin point areas that need to be strengthened in order for your child to become the best reader they can.
Reading is a very important part of a child’s success in school. As a result I find it is very important that children read at home as well. I have included a letter about this topic with some suggestions for reading at home. During the first semester of school students will be expected to read four times a week for 15 minutes at a time. During the second semester, the time will increase to 20 minutes each night. Each time your child reads they will track what they read, for how long, and the number of pages they have read in a Reading Log. At the start of each week their reading logs will be collected.
Accelerated Reader: In third grade your student has the opportunity to take part in AR. It is a reading program that allows students to take quizzes over books they have read and earn points for correct answers given. These points are then exchanged for prizes three times a year at an AR Store provided by the PTO. Also, at different point levels students will earn prizes within the classroom. In regard to AR expectations, your child will be expected to take at least two AR tests a month. These tests can be taken on books they read during the school day or at home. In regard to what quizzes can be taken, your child can only take quizzes on books they read during the school year.
Language Arts: The language arts curriculum is aligned with the Literacy By Design reading series. We will also use a supplemental grammar book to provide more practice opportunities. Students will review the cursive alphabet to start the school year as well.
In grammar we will cover various parts of speech (nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.), sentence structure (subject and predicate), and punctuation. We will also cover types of sentences (declarative, interrogative, exclamatory) and how to combine sentences.
In writing we will study the writing process, which includes: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. Students will also study the six traits of writing, which include: ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency and conventions. During each writing project, students will work at their own pace, completing each step of the process. Throughout the school year your student will learn how to write a five paragraph essay. The types of writing we will cover are narrative, expository, persuasive and poetry.
In spelling, students will be introduced to a new spelling list each week. This list includes words from the text, “no excuse words”, vocabulary words and words from other areas of the curriculum. In order to learn the words, students will write any misspelled words three times on Monday, complete various practice activities throughout the week, and review their words at home nightly. On Friday, students will be tested over the assigned words. If a student receives a 100% on their pre-test or misses three or fewer words, your child will be given a challenge list for the week.
As a whole, your child will receive one grade for writing, grammar and spelling. Writing projects will count as double, meaning each project will be counted twice.
Science/Social Studies: In regard to science, the district has incorporated hands-on kits into our curriculum. Students will do in-depth studies of plants, electricity and magnetism, rocks and minerals, land changes, and simple machines. They will take part in many experiments and use the science book as a supplement to the hands-on kits. In social studies students will be studying maps, geography, economics, communities, pilgrims, pioneers, and Washington D.C.
The biggest adjustment students have in these two areas is learning how to study for tests and quizzes. To help in this area, students will know a few days ahead, and we will discuss specific ways to study.
Birthdays: Students may bring birthday treats for the class only (24 students). I suggest that they are individual items and please do not send juice. Treats must also be store bought with the ingredient label on the packaging (helps prevent allergic reactions). If your child has a summer birthday or a birthday over a break, he/she may bring a treat on his/her half birthday or before or after the break. It is your choice.
Expectations and Discipline: Classroom ground rules were decided upon by the class and are posted in the classroom data center. They are as follows (in no particular order):
Don't be mean
Treat others as you want to be treated
Be safe
Be a quality kid
If these expectations or Banner Elementary expectations are not followed, a four step procedure will be followed, as chosen by the students. The procedures are as follows*:
Verbal warning
Eat lunch by yourself at the study carrels
Have a talk with Miss Hughes
No recess
* Severe Disruption Clause: Go immediately to the principal. Severe disruption is defined as: 1) willfully harming another student or oneself, 2) willfully destroying property, 3) open defiance.
Each child has a pocket on the classroom management chart in the classroom. Each pocket has four cards, each a different color. Each color represents a consequence. The students will turn a card each time they make a poor choice. Each student will be given a verbal warning before changing to the second color in the pocket. The colors are as follows:
Green: Having a good day - Verbal warning Yellow: Second warning: Eat lunch by yourself Orange: Third warning: Have a talk with Miss Hughes Hot Pink: Final warning: No recess
The students are responsible for charting their behavior daily. At the end of each day, the students will get their data binder and color in a calendar square to track their behavior. Good behavior is rewarded monthly through a third grade behavior party as well as written and verbal praise. At the end of the month any child who remained on green every day will take part in the party as well as students with a select number of green days (based on the number of possible green days in the month). If you ever have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to contact me. The easiest way to reach me is by email or you can call me at school between 7:15am and 3:30pm. When calling you will most likely have to leave a message with Mrs. Begner and she will pass the message on to me. The school phone number is (309) 243-7774 and my email address is shughes@dunlapcusd.net.
Monday = P.E., Computer, Art
Tuesday = P.E., Computer
Wednesday = P.E., Computer
Thursday =P.E., Music
Friday = P.E., Music
Assignment Notebooks:
Each student was given an assignment notebook the first week of school, which you should already be aware of. It is the student’s responsibility to write down any homework or important reminders in the notebook. The notebooks have a box for parents to sign nightly and write any messages to the teacher. Please sign the planner nightly after your child has shown you the completed work or notes that were written down. The signature lets me know that your child has completed any work he/she might have been given and that he/she has shown it to you. I will check the planners each morning for a parent signature. The planners are a great way for your child to keep track of what they are working on, any homework he/she might have and a great way for you and me to communicate.
Homework:
The majority of work done in third grade is completed during class time. When a student does not complete an in class assignment it then becomes homework. The student is expected to complete it that night at home and bring it in the next morning for the same grade as if the assignment were completed in class.
In third grade there are some assignments that are given on a weekly basis. Each week your student will be given Daily Math, and a spelling list to study on Monday. The Daily Math can be turned in any day of the week after it is given. Friday is the latest date it will be accepted. Also, your student will have a reading log to keep track of what they read each night. These will be due on Mondays.
3H Classroom Policies:
During the first semester of school students will be given the chance to correct and return practice papers with a D or F grade for half credit. However, students cannot correct and return tests. This allows students to get used to the effort it will take on their part to earn a passing grade of C or higher. Also, throughout the school year, any no name papers will be laid out for students to claim for a grade. Any unclaimed papers will result in a zero. If a student is missing an assignment they will be given a second chance to complete it again for a grade. If the second chance is not turned in then a zero will be recorded in the grade book.
Absences:
If your child is going to be absent, whether you know ahead of time or not, it is expected that you send a note or call the school to let Mrs. Begner or I know of the absence. When a student is absent he/she will have 2 days to make up work for each day that he/she was absent. I will go over all missed work with the student to make sure that he/she understands what is expected.
Grading Scale:
The grading scale for the district is as follows:
99-100% A+ 90- 91% B+ 82- 83% C+ 72- 73% D+
94- 98% A 86- 89% B 76- 81% C 68- 71% D
92- 93%A- 84- 85% B- 74- 75% C- 66- 67% D-
Below 65 F
Math:
The district is using the Harcourt Math series which has been in place for several years now. This series is aligned with the state learning standards and prepares students for ISAT testing in the spring. Throughout the school year students will study numbers and various ways to manipulate them through addition, subtraction, estimation, money, time, multiplication, division, measurement, fractions, and decimals. Students will also study geometry through figures, patterns and probability.
Reading:
The reading series we use is Literacy By Design. In this reading series your child will learn the strategies good readers use in order to better understand the text they read. Those strategies include making connections, asking questions and inferring. Students will also be given the opportunity to enjoy a piece of text three different ways: independently, shared with a classmate, and read aloud to them. This method allows fluent reading to be modeled and practiced. The series is rich in a variety of fiction and non-fiction text, while introducing new words into the third grade vocabulary. Guided reading will also be used to pin point areas that need to be strengthened in order for your child to become the best reader they can.
Reading is a very important part of a child’s success in school. As a result I find it is very important that children read at home as well. I have included a letter about this topic with some suggestions for reading at home. During the first semester of school students will be expected to read four times a week for 15 minutes at a time. During the second semester, the time will increase to 20 minutes each night. Each time your child reads they will track what they read, for how long, and the number of pages they have read in a Reading Log. At the start of each week their reading logs will be collected.
Accelerated Reader:
In third grade your student has the opportunity to take part in AR. It is a reading program that allows students to take quizzes over books they have read and earn points for correct answers given. These points are then exchanged for prizes three times a year at an AR Store provided by the PTO. Also, at different point levels students will earn prizes within the classroom.
In regard to AR expectations, your child will be expected to take at least two AR tests a month. These tests can be taken on books they read during the school day or at home. In regard to what quizzes can be taken, your child can only take quizzes on books they read during the school year.
Language Arts:
The language arts curriculum is aligned with the Literacy By Design reading series. We will also use a supplemental grammar book to provide more practice opportunities. Students will review the cursive alphabet to start the school year as well.
In grammar we will cover various parts of speech (nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.), sentence structure (subject and predicate), and punctuation. We will also cover types of sentences (declarative, interrogative, exclamatory) and how to combine sentences.
In writing we will study the writing process, which includes: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. Students will also study the six traits of writing, which include: ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency and conventions. During each writing project, students will work at their own pace, completing each step of the process. Throughout the school year your student will learn how to write a five paragraph essay. The types of writing we will cover are narrative, expository, persuasive and poetry.
In spelling, students will be introduced to a new spelling list each week. This list includes words from the text, “no excuse words”, vocabulary words and words from other areas of the curriculum. In order to learn the words, students will write any misspelled words three times on Monday, complete various practice activities throughout the week, and review their words at home nightly. On Friday, students will be tested over the assigned words. If a student receives a 100% on their pre-test or misses three or fewer words, your child will be given a challenge list for the week.
As a whole, your child will receive one grade for writing, grammar and spelling. Writing projects will count as double, meaning each project will be counted twice.
Science/Social Studies:
In regard to science, the district has incorporated hands-on kits into our curriculum. Students will do in-depth studies of plants, electricity and magnetism, rocks and minerals, land changes, and simple machines. They will take part in many experiments and use the science book as a supplement to the hands-on kits. In social studies students will be studying maps, geography, economics, communities, pilgrims, pioneers, and Washington D.C.
The biggest adjustment students have in these two areas is learning how to study for tests and quizzes. To help in this area, students will know a few days ahead, and we will discuss specific ways to study.
Birthdays:
Students may bring birthday treats for the class only (24 students). I suggest that they are individual items and please do not send juice. Treats must also be store bought with the ingredient label on the packaging (helps prevent allergic reactions). If your child has a summer birthday or a birthday over a break, he/she may bring a treat on his/her half birthday or before or after the break. It is your choice.
Expectations and Discipline: Classroom ground rules were decided upon by the class and are posted in the classroom data center. They are as follows (in no particular order):
If these expectations or Banner Elementary expectations are not followed, a four step procedure will be followed, as chosen by the students. The procedures are as follows*:
- Verbal warning
- Eat lunch by yourself at the study carrels
- Have a talk with Miss Hughes
- No recess
* Severe Disruption Clause: Go immediately to the principal. Severe disruption is defined as: 1) willfully harming another student or oneself, 2) willfully destroying property, 3) open defiance.Each child has a pocket on the classroom management chart in the classroom. Each pocket has four cards, each a different color. Each color represents a consequence. The students will turn a card each time they make a poor choice. Each student will be given a verbal warning before changing to the second color in the pocket. The colors are as follows:
Green: Having a good day
- Verbal warning
Yellow: Second warning: Eat lunch by yourself
Orange: Third warning: Have a talk with Miss Hughes
Hot Pink: Final warning: No recess
The students are responsible for charting their behavior daily. At the end of each day, the students will get their data binder and color in a calendar square to track their behavior. Good behavior is rewarded monthly through a third grade behavior party as well as written and verbal praise. At the end of the month any child who remained on green every day will take part in the party as well as students with a select number of green days (based on the number of possible green days in the month).
If you ever have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to contact me. The easiest way to reach me is by email or you can call me at school between 7:15am and 3:30pm. When calling you will most likely have to leave a message with Mrs. Begner and she will pass the message on to me. The school phone number is (309) 243-7774 and my email address is shughes@dunlapcusd.net.
Sincerely,
Miss Shelley Hughes